Sammie could light up a football field, or a room full of fans, better than almost anyone who has worn an OSU jersey.

It seems ages ago that Stroughter - who fought battles with depression during his career - was catching 6 passes for 88 yards in his final college game, the Beavers' 3-0 Sun Bowl win over Pitt on Dec. 31, 2008.

Stroughter was a diamond in the rough find for the Bucs, and he's done well in the NFL, which is currently in lockout mode.

But he has not forgotten Oregon State, or its coaches, especially head coach Mike Riley.

"Each and every day that I would go around (talking to NFL coaches) and tell them I played for Oregon State, every coach - I mean, every coach - had something great to say about coach Riley.

"He's going to teach you, and coach you to understand situations that when adversity comes, that's when your character is revealed. That's what it's all about.''

Stroughter, who was romping around the field with former Bucs' teammate and former Beaver safety Sabby Piscitelli, even took part in some of the wide receiver drills.

"He brought some excitement with him,'' said OSU WR Markus Wheaton.

"He was out there having a good time.''

Riley said it was nice to have former players back at OSU, even if the circumstances were somewhat strange with the lockout.

It was hilarious to see Sammie, and Sabby, and former OSU running back Yvenson Bernard (he will play for CFL Montreal this season) interact with some of their former coaches.

Piscitelli sat down with OSU defensive coordinator Mark Banker and his wife during the dinner hour at the VC and they shot the bull in animated fashion while the Final Four championship game was blaring on the big screen.

Stroughter was wide-eyed at the sight of the new Players Lounge in the Valley Center.

He and Bernard played ping-pong (each claiming victory) and Stroughter told Banker later, "if we had that (lounge and ping-pong area) when I was here, we would have gotten those five-star recruits. All of them.''The links:

Beavers climb to No. 19 in latest Baseball America poll after taking two out of three from Arizona. OSU meets the University of Portland Pilots Tuesday in a tune-up game for a huge Pac-10 series at Goss against Arizona State